Sydney-based lender Westpac has announced a new employee benefit which offers employees in Australia wanting to start or expand their family one-week paid leave per year to undertake fertility treatment and access related medical support. 

This includes women freezing their eggs prior to wanting to start a family.

The new leave will be available from 29 November 2022.

Group executive human resources Westpac, Christine Parker, said that each year, many Westpac employees want to start or expand their family, however, some people need the help of fertility treatment and extra support.

“Fertility treatment is on the rise and helps people to achieve this life milestone. However, it also requires a series of medical appointments, sometimes at short notice. With this new benefit, our employees will know that they are supported to attend these, without having to use their annual leave or sick leave. We try hard to make Westpac a truly family friendly workplace, at whatever stage of the family journey people are on, and this now includes those undertaking fertility treatment,” Parker said.

Westpac is the first major bank to grant employees paid leave for fertility treatment.

“The journey to parenthood can be different for everyone and sometimes challenging. Workplaces can play an important role in responding to the needs of employees going through fertility treatment, so it’s great to see Westpac raising more awareness and providing employees the support they need,” said Parents At Work CEO and founder of the Family Friendly Workplaces initiative, Emma Walsh.

“This is another welcome step forward for organisations committed to embedding family-friendly practices and supporting employees at an important time in their lives.”